Boiling Springs town commissioners are moving forward with plans to build a new town hall, deeming the current facility an embarrassment.

The proposed building would cost an estimated $2.2 million and would house town hall offices and the Boiling Springs police department.

A facilities subcommittee was established in the fall to examine the current facility and make a recommendation to commissioners to either renovate the building or construct of a new one.

The committee was composed of three town commissioners and the town manager.

According to the report released by the subcommittee, the town hall, located at 145 South Main Street, was built in 1920 and was formerly a school.

Additions were made in the 1950s.

"In a tour of the building, it was obvious we needed to go ahead and make plans for a new building," said Commissioner Darlene Gravett, one of the members of the subcommittee.

She said a new town hall has been discussed for years and the town has set aside money.

"I just think the time is right to move forward with this project," Gravett said.

Fix repairs or start fresh?

According to the report, the building has about $88,000 worth of immediate roof repairs that need to be done due to active leaks over the police department and emergency medical services base, which are both housed in the same building as the town hall.

Another $47,000 in roof repairs will need to be done within the next five years, according to the report.

Town Manager Tom Hart said other renovations, including flooring, painting and weatherization, also need to be addressed.

Hart said some of those imminenet repairs are what prompted the report.

He said the subcommittee did discuss renovations as an option.

"We're almost guaranteed to come across complexities such as mold or asbestos," Hart said.

Where would it go?

The proposed building would be constructed on town-owned property on East College Avenue near the town's public works facility.

John Glenn, commissioner, said he is concerned that the town will pay as much in renovations and repairs as they would for a new building.

"We're buying a new building while staying in the old building," Glenn said.

He said now is the time to build.

"I don't think we can do it any cheaper than now," he said.

Where does the money come from?

No tax or rate increases are planned to help fund the building.

Hart said the town's current fund balance has $1.7 million in addition to what the state requires as a safety net.

Nearly half of the needed funds, $1 million, would come from the fund balance. The remainder would be financed, he said.

The town would attempt to sell the old facility. And Hart said, in 8 years, Gardner-Webb University has the right to the building's gym.

The town would have to discuss options for the EMS base with the county.

"I was surprised to see the working conditions of the staff," Gravett said. "We have this totally outdated facility that's crumbling around us."

Hart said the next step is to get a contract from an archeticture which will be brought back to commissioners before any final decisions are made.

He said the town will be using Talley & Smith Architecture of Shelby.

Reach reporter Rebecca Clark at 704-669-3344 or rclark@shelbystar.com or follow on Twitter @TheStarRebecca.